If we are to achieve an 80% employment rate increasing the employment outcomes for people with mental health problems is a key driver, as this group of people represents approximately 40% of incapacity benefit claimants, and, have the lowest employment rate amongst any working age group.

The value and importance of providing better vocational services for improving life chances for people with mental health problems is increasingly being recognised. To further support this, the impact that learning and skills development will have on increasing opportunities for people to gain and/or retain employment should not be underestimated. Whether this is pre employment or in work, learning and skills needs should be considered as part of each individual's pathway.

A key component of this priority will be to establish a clearer understanding of the services and support available and to identify gaps in current provision. Action will involve engaging with commissioners and providers of vocational/employment services to work towards developing cohesive pathways between primary, secondary and third sector providers. This will also involve supporting agencies to build up a better understanding of each others roles and responsibilities, and, how with a joined up approach they can better support individuals to gain and/or retain employment drawing upon their strengths. These pathways will seek to identify and embed into them the benefits of learning, skills and volunteering as part of the potential route to gaining and maintaining employment and to support providers to be better equipped to progress people, who for whatever reason may be stuck in the system.

In order to improve the quality of and capacity within services to deliver better vocational services we will seek to promote positive cultural change which as a consequence reduce stigma and discrimination.